“But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” 1 Tim 6:9-10 

Footsteps #412. Paul then moves on to address problems about the church’s care of widows. (5:1-16). This very important ministry was being taken advantage of by younger wealthy widows, most likely the same trouble-making women from Chapter 2. They would sign up for the church’s support but then spend their days sleeping, spreading gossip, and damaging the church’s reputation in the city. Paul is having none of it! He says that only older widows that have no other family support qualify for this.  

Paul then addresses problems among some older men in the church (5:17-25). Timothy is to respect their age, but not their misbehaviour which seems to be alcohol-related. They are damaging the church’s reputation in Ephesus. So Timothy is, in love, to confront them and have them step down if they are in leadership.  

Paul then addresses a problem among Christian slaves. (6:1-2). Some of them were disrespecting their Christian masters. Yes, the gospel creates equality among Jesus’ followers. However, Paul thinks that equality needs to be implemented in a strategic way that doesn’t compromise the mission and witness of the church. If Christians become associated with slave rebellions, they are compromised. The Christian transformation of the Roman household had to be implemented strategically so that their neighbours could be persuaded and not repulsed by this new vision of God’s family.  

Finally, Paul closes the letter by calling Timothy again to confront the corrupt leaders. Paul here exposes their motives: to make lots of money by accumulating followers and then charging them all high rates for their teaching. These teachers betrayed Jesus and His message of contentment and simple living. (6:17-18). Paul instructs the wealthy Ephesian Christians to become rich in good works and generosity, to be people who submit all their resources to Jesus. He is the one who inspires the final poem (6:15-16) about how He is the true King above all other kings. 

1Timothy is a really important letter. It helps us gain a holistic vision of the nature and mission of the church so that a Jesus community of believers will directly shape how that community lives and behaves in its city. So, its theology and its beliefs have to be constantly critiqued and formed by the scriptures and the good news about Jesus. How the church is perceived in public is also very important to Paul. Christians should be known as people who are full of integrity, known for good works, known for serving the poor and the most vulnerable, all out of devotion to the risen King Jesus.